Actuating means for scoreboard indicia



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ACTUATING MEANSl FOR SCORE BOARD INDICIA Original Filed Aug. 14, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 6, 1943. J. O. lvlE ETAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR SCORE BOARD INDICIA 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 .m mi W d 3. w aan. u q o j@ M A 5 3 i@ Z 00L W r. ma w .@f l w i E w M im 5 w D\ 5 f7 H q wm w 3% N l-. I 9 m 2. w q I 55 5 3 I 2.6 a.. 0 q @y 5 mi 5 ww 27m j@ Q A E l April 6, 1943. J, O. NIE ET AL 2,315,622

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April 6, 1943. J. o. |vu: ETAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR SCORE BOARD INDICIA Original Filed Aug. 14, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 o w ma@ a m WM] W m IO WA. .C @L w 5f L\ w a w. aw m JH Y. 1, y @Q QWQ,

April 6, 1943. J. o. lvlE ETAI.

ACTUATING MEANS FOR SCORE BOARD INDICIA 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 Original Filed Aug. 14, 1934 April 6, 1943. J. O. lvlE ET AL AOTUATINO MEANS FOR SCORE BOARD INDIOIA Original Filed Aug. 14, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Tir OOR E. n. A

Patented Apr. 6, 1943 ACTUATING MEANS FOR-SCOREBOARD INDICIA James 0. Ivie and Horace Leon Ivie, Salt Lake City, Utah Griginal application August 14, 1934, Serial No. 739,822. Divided and this application January 16, 1940, Serial No. 314,188

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a score board and to a method of operating the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a score board wherein the score of the game, the time remaining to play, the time remaining in a rest period, the names of the players, the score of the individual players, the period of the game, and other essential information to determine the status of the game may be made known to spectators as the game progresses.

According to the present invention, the score board is provided with alarm means to indicate the termination of a time-out period or of a time interval peculiar to the game being played, and with separate alarm means to indicate the end of the game.

Also according to the present invention, the

score board may be operated from a remote station to enable the oicials in charge of the game, to control the operation of the score board thereby insuring accuracy of the information displayed thereon.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus comprises a board provided with time dials and with openings through which the names of players, the period of the game, the score of the game, and the scores of the individual players are displayed. The names of the players and the periods of the game are carried on drums adapted to revolve about their axes, each drum being mounted behind an opening in the board, while the numbers indicating the scores are carried on disks adapted to revolve about their axes, each disk being mounted behind an opening in the board. The names and the numbers are so spaced on the drums and on the disks respectively, and are so related to the openings in the board, that when a name or a number is in juxtaposition with its opening in the board, only one name and only one number will be displayed. The time dials, of course, are provided with hands to indicate' time.

The hands of the time dials are actuated through a time-controlled driving mechanism comprising an arrangement for stopping automatically the operation of the time-indicating means at the end of predetermined intervals ofrv ,each drum being likewise controlled from a remote control station.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shovm in the accompanying drawings and Will be hereinafter described in detail. The structure shown in these drawings is designed for use in connection with basket ball games, but the principles involved are suited to giving information for other games such as baseball, football and the like, as well as commercial displays. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown, as modifications and changes are contemplated and such must be considered to be included within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l represents a front elevation view of a score board embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 represents a rear elevation view of the score board, the back walls of the casing being removed.

Fig. 3 is a section view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. i is a section view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section View taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2, but with parts broken out.

Fig. 6 is a View of the clutch actuating means of the time mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a section view taken on line 'I--l of Fig. 3.

Fig, 8 is a section View taken on line 8-8. of Fig. 3.

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views of switches forming parts of the time mechanism, Fig. 9 being a View taken from the bottom.

Fig. 11 is a section View taken on line H-H of Fig. 2.

Fig. l2 is a section View taken on line l2--|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the drum operating mechanism.

Fig, 15 is a section view taken on line l5--l5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 16 is a plan View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 1'7 is a plan view of the control board, and

Fig. 18 is a diagram of the electrical wiring.

Preferably, and as shown in the drawings, the score board comprises a casing having a front wall I, Fig. l, which may be ornamented as desired, and the lower portion of which is divided vertically into halves, one half displaying information concerning the visiting team, and the other half displaying information concerning the home team. Suitable legends 8 are placed at the top of each half to identify the teams. Each half of the wall I, is provided with a column of horizontally-extending openings 2 through which the names and numbers of the players are displayed. Legends 3, naming the position played by each player, are placed above each opening.

To indicate the number of fouls charged against each player, each half of the wall I is provided with a column of openings 4, horizontally aligned with the openings 2, through which numerals corresponding to the number of fouls committed by each player may be displayed. To display the numerals indicating the score made by each player, each half of the front wall I is also provided with a column of pairs of openings 6, each pair being horizontally aligned with one of the openings 2.

Suitable legends 6a and 5 are placed above each column of openings displaying the score and fouls of individual players.

The total scores of the home team and of the visiting team are displayed through pairs of openings 'I in each half of the front Wall I, positioned below the legend S. Numerals are displayed through these openings to indicate the total score of each team playing.

The time remaining to play in any period of the game is shown by a pair of time-dials 9 and Y I6, bearing the legends Minutes to play and Seconds respectively, and centrally located in the upper portion of the front wall I. Hands I I and I2 are adapted to rotate about the centers of the dials I6 and S respectively, and in conjunction with the graduated margins of the dials, indicate the minutes and seconds left to play in any period of the game.

The time taken out by a team is measured by a dial I3 located in the upper left-hand portion of the wall I and bearing the legend Time outminutes left. A hand I is adapted to rotate about the center of the dial I3 and in conjunction with the graduated margin of the dial, indicates the minutes remaining in the allotted timeout interval.

The time permitted for a team to carry the ball from its back-court to the forward court is measured by a dial I4 located in the upper righthand portion of the wall I and bearing the legend Off goal-seconds left. A hand I5 is adapted to rotate about the center of the dial I4 and in conjunction with the graduated margin of the dial, indicates the seconds remaining in the time-interval allotted to a team to bring the ball from its back court to the forward court.

To designate the instant period of the game being played, the front wall I is provided with two openings I'I, symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the dial 8, Legends I8 bearing the number and the name of the period of the game being played respectively, such as First, Third and Periodj Half, Extra period, etc., are displayed through the openings I'I.

The legends designating the instant period of the game being played, the names and numbers of each player, and the numbers for indicating the number of fouls committed by each player, are carried on drums I8, IBa, and I8b, respectively, Fig. 2, which preferably are hexagonal in cross-section. Different indicia and different names of players appear on each rectangular surface of a given drum. As shown in Fig. 2, the drums I8, Ita, and |819 are mounted behind the wall I and are adapted to rotate about their longitudinal axes, each drum being mounted behind and in juxtaposition with one of the openings 2, 4 or I1, depending upon the indicia on the drum, the size and shape of a given opening being so related to the rectangular surface of the drum mounted behind it, that for any given setting of a drum, the name of only one player or only one of the indicia will be displayed therethrough. Since each of the drums ita may carry up to six names, and since each opening 2 for such drums I8a has its individual legend 3, each one of these drums may carry the names of ve substitute players in addition to the name of the regular player for a given playing position on each team.

The numbers for indicating the total team score and the numbers for indicating individual player score are carried on unit disks I9 and tens disks I9. As shown in Fig. 2, the disks I9 and I9 likewise are mounted behind the wall I and are adapted to rotate about their axes, each disk being mounted so that one of the indicia carried thereon is behind and in juxtaposition with one of the openings 6 or l, depending upon the indicia on the disk, the size and shape of a given opening likewise being so related to the size of the indicia, that for any given setting of a disk, only one of the indicia will be displayed therethrough.

To operate the hands II, I2, I5 and I6 of the time-dials I0, 9, I3 and I4, respectively, a timecontrolled mechanism is provided which preferably is actuated by a synchronous motor 22, shown in Fig. 2. The motor 22 drives a speed reducing mechanism which carries a worm 24 meshing with a worm gear 25, Fig. 3, secured on a shaft 26 which is suitably mounted on a xed member of the supporting frame of the apparatus. When the score board is in use, the motor 22 rotates the shaft 26 constantly.

To operate the hand I I, a clutch disk 33 having uniformly-spaced openings 34 close to and throughout its periphery is rigidly secured to one end of the shaft 26. The shaft 26 is aligned longitudinally with another shaft 2'I extending through an opening in the front wall I and located at the center of the dial I3. The extremity of the shaft 2'I projecting through the front wall I, carries the hand II of the Seconds time-dial I0. A mating clutch disk 35 is splined upon the inner end of the shaft 21, as shown at 36, Fig. 3, permitting the clutch disk 35 to slide longitudinally upon the shaft 2'I, but constraining it to rotate therewith. The surface of the clutch disk 35 presented to the face of the clutch disk 33 is provided with six pins 44 projecting perpendicularly therefrom and adapted to engage the openings 34 in the clutch disk 33. To reduce the maximum angular motion lost when a coupling of the clutch disk is effected, the spacing of the pins 44 is staggered so that only one of the pins 44 will engage an opening 34 in the clutch disk 33. To permit only one of the pins 44 to engage an opening 34 when a coupling of the two clutch disks is effected, the six pins 44 are slidably mounted within six bosses 43 and are yieldably carried by springs 45 secured to the disk 35, so that when a mating of the clutch members occurs, the remaining pins striking the disk 33 will yield.

To operate the hand I2, the shaft 21 is provided with a beveled pinion 4'I meshing with a beveled gear 48 secured to the lower end of a vertical shaft 49 which is journaled in bearings suitably.

located on the frame of the apparatus. A beveled gear 59 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 49 and meshes with a companion beveled gear 5| loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft 52. A pair of laterally projecting springs 53 are secured in diametrically opposed relationship to one face of the gear The free extremities of the springs 53 are provided with rollers 54 and are adapted to bear upon, as shown in Fig. 7, the periphery of a notched disk or ratchet wheel 55 which is rigidly secured to the horizontal shaft 52. The pressure of the springs 53 on the rollers 54 holds the rollers in the notches, so that rotation of the gear 5I will be transmitted to the disk 55 and to the shaft 52. The number of the notches in the periphery of the disk 55 is equivalent to the number of minutes in a playing interval of the game being played, or to the number of graduations in the margin of the dial 9. The shaft 52 extends through an opening in the front wall I located at the center of the dial 9, and the extremity of the v shaft 52 projecting therethrough carries the hand I2 of the Minutes to play time-dial 9. The relative sizes of the hub 41 and of the gear 48 are such that for one complete revolution of the hand II over the time-dial' I0, the hand I2 will move through a fraction of a complete revolution corresponding to a minute on the graduated margin of the time-dial 9.

When the necessity arises, the hand I2 of the Minutes to play time-dial 9 may be moved back from any position on the dial 9. To reset the hand I2, the inner end of the shaft 52 is provided with a wheel 58 provided with a plurality of notches the number of which is equivalent to the number of graduations or minutes in the margin of the time-dial 9. As shown in Fig. 8, the wheel 58 is adapted to be engaged by a dog 63 operatively mounted on a reciprocating bar 59 which reciprocates constantly when the score board .is in use. The reciprocating bar 59 is actuated by an eccentric 60 mounted on a shaft 6I which is driven through suitable gearing, by an induction motor 23. The lower end of the dog 63 is equipped with a pole piece 64 which serves as an armature for an electromagnet 65.

Normally, the magnet is not energized and a spring 66 maintains the dog 63 out of engagement with the notched wheel 58. When the magnet 65 is energized, the pole piece 64 is attracted by the magnet and the dog 63 is swung into operative position to engage the periphery of the notched wheel 58. The dog 63 is so shaped that it is adapted to operatively engage the notched wheel 58 only during the 11p-stroke of the reciprocating bar 59. Thus, when the magnet 65 is energized, the dog 63 will turn the wheel 53 through an arc equivalent to the distance between two notches in the periphery of the notched wheel 58 for each up-stroke of the reciprocating bar 59. Thus the hand I2 will be set back one minute for each up-stroke of the reciprocating bar 59. The turning of the notched wheel 58 will cause the shaft 52 and the notched disk or ratchetwheel to rotate, but gear 5I will not rotate because of the resistance offered thereto by the train of gearing cooperating with the gear 5I, with the result that the rollers 54 will merely slip into the adjacent notches of the notched disk or ratchet wheel 55, see Fig. 7, to hold the hand I2 in set position.

When the score board is in use, the shaft 26, as already explained, is rotating constantly. When a coupling of the clutch discs 33 and 35 is effected, the hands I2 and I I of the dials 9 and I0 respectively, are put into operation, The coupling of the clutch disks, is effected by sliding the splined clutch disk 35 upon the shaft 21. To effect the movement of the splined clutch disk, as shown in Fig. 6, the hub of the latter is provided with an annular groove 31 operatively engaging the forked end of a lever 38 which is fulcrumed between its extremities and whose other end operatively engages a slide 39 located between a pair of longitudinally aligned solenoids 40 and 4 I. To actuate the slide 39, the latter is provide-d with a pair of oppositely extending and longitudinally aligned projections 39 which constitute the cores of the solenoids 40 and 4I Only one of the solenoids is energized at any given time, the slide moving, of course, toward the solenoid that is energized. The motion this imparted to the slide 39, will rock the lever 38 to shift the splined clutch disk 35 into o-r out of engagement with the clutch disk 33, depending upon whether the hands II and I2 are to rotate or not.

To guard against accidental shifting of the clutch disk 35, a plurality of spring detents 46, see Fig. 3, are secured to the frame of the apparatus, adjacent the disk 35 to engage the periphery thereof and to yieldably hold it in eitherv the mated or open positions.

To stop the hands I| and I2 of the time-dials I0 and 9 respectively, automatically at the end of a playing period, the shaft 52 is provided with a circuit-closing finger 56, rigidly mounted thereon and adapted to operate a switch mechanism secured to the front wall I of the apparatus. Referring to Figs. 3 and 9, the switch mechanism comprises a plate I I9 pivoted at |29 and carrying at one end thereof, an operatively mounted bent lever IEi one end of which extends into the path of the finger 56 and the other end normally resting against the plate |I9 under the inuence of a spring |22. The end of the plate I I9 remote from the lever l2 I, carries an armature |23 which is adapted to cooperate with an electromagnet |24. The plate I i9 is also provided with two contact points |25 and |26 which are insulated from the plate I|9 and from each other. Two additional contact points |28 and |29 are mounted on the front wall I of the apparatus on the side of the plate II9 remote from the electromagnet |24 and are adapted to be engaged by the contact points |25 and |26 respectively, when the plate I I9 is swung away from the electromagnet |24. A spring |21 yieldably holds the plate I I9 in either poistion in which it may be set. Referring to Fig. 9, when the iinger 56 moves upwardly, it abuts the lever |2I and rocks the same and the plate I I9 to swing the contact points |25 and I 26 into con-v tact with the contact points |28 and |29 respectively. Continued rnotion of the finger 56 will clear the lever |2I and pass onto the other side of the same. If the Minutes to play hand I2 is being set back, as for an extra period, the finger 56 will impinge upon the opposite side of the lever I2| which will swing about its pivot |29 and permits the linger 55 to pass without changing the position of the plate ||9. Likewise, the shaft 21 is provided with another circuit-closing iinger 51, rigidly mounted thereon and adapted to operate another switch mechanism also secured to the front wall I of the apparatus.

Referring to Fig. l0, the switch mechanism comprises a bar I 39 of insulating material having one end pivoted to the front wall at |3I and the other or free end adapted to be yieldably held away from the front wall I through the action of a spring |32, the outward movement of the free end of the bar |30 being limited by a lug |33. AThe outer surface of the bar |38 is provided with two contacts |34 and |35 pivoted thereon and yieldably held outwardly by springs |31, the outward movement being limited by lugs |38. The underside of the free end of the bar |30 is provided with a spring-mounted contact |36 adapted to engage another contact |39 yieldably mounted on a spring |40, the other end of which is mounted on an insulating block secured to the front wall I of the apparatus. The contacts |34 and |35 make electrical contact with the ringe-r 51 every time it passes, the finger 51 being connected to the grounded side of the power circuit which will be described later, while the pressure of the nger 51 riding over the bar |38, forces the Contact |36 against the contact |39 to close another circuit to be described later.

To operate the hands and l5, the shaft 25 is provided, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with a bevel gear 28 meshing with a pair of nevel gears 29 and 30 secured to the lower' ends of shafts 3| and 32 respectively. As shown in Fig. 1l, the upper ends of the shafts 3| and 32 are provided with bevel gears 51 meshing with companion bevel gears 31', each rigidly mounted on one end of a horizontal shaft 68, whose other end is provided with a rigidly mounted clutch disk 10. Since the shaft 25 rotates constantly when the apparatus is being used, the shaft 63 likewise will rotate constantly. The shaft 38 is aligned longitudinally with another shaft 68 extending through an opening in the front wall located at the center of the dial I4, The hand l5 of the Off goal-seconds left dial is rigidly mounted on the extremity of the shaft 69 projecting through the front wall A mating clutch disk 1| is splined upon the inner end of the shaft 39 permitting the clutch disk 1| to slide longitudinally upon the shaft 69, but constraining it to rotate therewith. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the hands |5 and I6 through the shifting of the clutch disks is similar in every detail to that for the hands and |2.

To return the hand i6 to initial starting position when the clutch disks are disengaged, the shaft 63 is provided with a coiled torsion spring 13 having one end secured to a collar 12 rigidly mounted on the shaft 59 and the other end secured to a stationary member 14 of the frame of the apparatus. When the clutch disks are engaged, the shaft 69 will rotate to operate the hand |6 and to wind the spring 13. When the clutch disks are disengaged, the spring 13 will unwind and will return the hand |5 to its initial starting position. The shaft 69 and the hand I6 may make only one complete revolution and if the hand i6 is not returned to its initial starting position before completing a revolution, it is stopped automatically at the end thereof.

To stop the hand I5 at the end of a revolution, the shaft 69 is provided with a finger 15 rigidly mounted thereon and adapted to engage at the end of a. revolution of the shaft 69, a switch mechanism secured to the front wall l of the apparatus and shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. The switch mechanism comprises a shelf 15 having at one end thereof and insulated therefrom, a plate 1'.' provided with a contact screw 18 which is electrically connected to an electric signal. A block 19 having insulation 88 on its back surface, is pivotally mounted at its upper end on the front wall and is of such length, that its lower end lies in the path of the finger 15. A stop 8| is provided to limit the extent of the swing of the block 19 away from the contact screw 18. Leaf springs 82 and 83 are mounted on the insulation 8B, the spring 82 having double contact points 84 and .85 at its free end and the spring 83 having a single contact point 86 at its free end. Electric conductors are attached to the elements 11, 82 and 83 to connect them to circuits which will be described later. The underside of the shelf 15 carries a pivotally mounted dog 81, one end of which is provided with an armature 89 adapted to cooperate with an electromagnet 90. When the electromagnet 90 is deenergized, the end of the dog 81 remote from the electromagnet is projected into the path of the linger 15 under the inuence of a spring 83. Movement of the iinger 15 will swing the dog 81 under the shelf i6 and will push the block 19, the dog 81 swinging back to its starting position through the action of the spring 83. The continued movement of the finger 15 will push the block 19 through an additional distance whereupon the Contact 84 is brought against the contact screw 18, thereby starting an electric signal; a slight additional swing of the block 19 will cause the spring 82 to bend until the contacts and 86 meet. At this point, the shaft 69 driving the finger 15 ceases to rotate and the finger falls back against the end of the dog 81 projecting from under the shelf 16. Thus, the contacts 85 and 86 will separate, but the contacts 18 and 84 will remain in engagement. The various parts of the switch mechanism will remain in this position until the magnet 88 is energized. Energization of the magnet will swing the dog 81 under the shelf 16 to release the finger 15 which, due to the action oi the torsion spring 13, will then rotate with the shaft E9 back to its starting position against the opposite side of the block 19, the impact moving the block so that the contacts 18 and 84 will be separated to stop the electric signal. Thus, the finger 15 sets off an electric signal which will continuc to operate until the finger and the hand It are returned to their initial starting position. If the clutch disks 18 and 1|, are disengaged before the hand I6 reaches the signaling position, the hand merely returns to the initial starting position through the effort of the spring 13.

The mechanism for operating and controlling the Time out-minutes left" indicator I5 is similar in every detail to that described above for the Off goal-seconds left indicator i6, with the exception that the hand l5 and the equivalent circuit-closing linger 15 swing around once in two minutes, while the hand i6 and the nger 15 of the Off goal-seconds left indicator swing around once in ten seconds.

The mechanism for setting the drums i8 indicating the period of play, the drums |8a carrying the names of the players, and the drums |8b indicating the number of fouls against each player is operated by a plurality of bars 94 reciprocated by a plurality of eccentrics 60 rigidly mounted on the shaft 6| which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is driven through suitable gearing by the induction motor 23. When the score board is in use, the shaft 6| rotates constantly and consequently the bars 94 reciprocate constantly. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 14, the axle 6| of each drum |8a or |81) is provided with a notched disk or ratchet wheel 9|, the notches in the periphery of each disk or ratchet wheel 9| corresponding in number and location to the number and position of the faces of the drums |8a or |8b. To hold a drum |80. in a set position, a detent 92 is yieldingly held to the notched disk 9| by a spring 53. To turn the drums, each reciprocatory bar 94 is provided with a dog 95 pivoted thereon and adapted to engage one of the notched disks or ratchet wheels 9| through the eifort of a spring 96. The dog 95 is so shaped that it will operatively engage the notches in the periphery of the ratchet wheel 9| only on the upstroke of the reciprocating bar 94. On each upstroke of the reciprocating bar 94, the'ratchet wheel 9| and its associated drum will be turned through an arc corresponding to the distance between two adjacent notches of the ratchet wheel 9|. Normally, however, and through the effort of a spring 99, the dog 95 is held out of engagement with its associated ratchet wheel by a guard lever 91 covering the notch that otherwise would be engaged by the dog 95. The spring 99 is secured to a bracket 98 mounted on the framework of the score board, said bracket being provided with a lug |90 to limit the movement of the lever 91 when the latter swings into guarding position. To uncover the notch of the ratchet wheel 9| to effect the engagement of the dog 95 with the same, the lever 91 is pivoted on the bracket 99 and the end of the lever 91 remote from the working end serves as an armature for an electromagnet II. When the electromagnet is energized, it will attract the lower end of the lever 91 to swing it out of guarding position, thereby permitting the dog 95 to engage the ratchet wheel. It is to be understood that each reciprocating bar 94 carries as many dogs 95 as there are drums, and of course, no drum will be turned unless the associated guard lever 91 is swung out of guarding position. The selective energizing of the electromagnets |f|l| will effect the turning or setting of the desired drum.

The drums displaying the playing period legends through the openings |1 are operated in the same manner, except that the notched disks or ratchet wheels 9| are not mounted directly on the axles of the drums, but are connected thereto by gymbal joints |92 as shown in Fig. 2.

The mechanism for setting the counting disks or dials i9 and i9 for indicating the points scored by each player and those for indicating the total points scored by each team, is operated bya plurality of bars |93 reciprocated by a plurality of eccentrics 69 rigidly mounted on the shaft 9|. Referring particularly to Figs, 4, 5, l15 and 16, the reciprocating bars |93 are provided with a plurality of studs |94, each positioned adjacent a dial and each engaging a slot |95 of an associated lever |96 loosely mounted on an axle |91 of an associated unit disk |9. The aXle |91 of each disk 9 is provided with a notched disk or ratchet wheel |98 rigidly mounted thereon. To rotaie the counting disks I9 in opposite directions, the end of the lever |93 remote from the slot |95 is provided with a pair of pivotally mounted dogs H9 adapted to engage the ratchet wheel|98 through the eifort of springs To control the engagement of each dog H9 with the ratchet wheel |98, each unit disk |9 is provided with a pair of rocking arms H3, one end of each of eaid'arms being normally in the path of a dog to hold it in inoperative position, and the other end being adapted to .function as the armature of an electromagnet H2. Normally, the electro magnets |12 are not energized and the rocking arms H3 maintain the dogs disengaged from the ratchet wheel |98 through the action of springs i lf'i. To hold a dial a set position, each ratchet wheel |99 is provided with a detent |99 provided with roller |99 which is adapted to yieldably engage a notch in the periphery of the ratchet wheel through the effort of a spring IIS. To operate this mechanism, the electromagnets I2 are energized for an instant, and to maintain the guard ends of the rocking arms ||3 out of the path of the dogs I9 after one of the electromagnets ||2 is thus momentarily energized, the armature ends of the rocking arms ||3 are provided With lugs adapted to engage a latch l5 operatively mounted and connected with the detent |09 through a link I i6. The latch ||5 is maintained in the paths of the lugs ||1 through the effort of a spring ||5. Referring particularly to Figs. 15 and 16, when one of the electromagnets ||2 is energized, the armature end of the associated rocking arm ||3 is drawn downwardly to release the associated dog ||0. Under the eifort of spring the dog will swing into operative position to engage a notch in the ratchet wheel |98. The reciprocating bar |03, through the lever |06 and the dog IIB engaging the ratchet wheel |98 will then rotate the unit counting dials I9. As the ratchet wheel |08 turns, the roller |09 on the detent |99 is pushed out of the associated notch in the periphery of the ratchet wheel |08 and in sodoing, the latch ||5 is'pushed, through the link |15, out of en-4 gagement with the lug |1 on the rocked rocking arm ||3 to release the same under the eifort of the spring H4.

To impart rotation to the tens counting dials I9', each of the unit counting dials |9 is provided with a lug 2U, near its periphery, which is adapted to engage, at the end of each revolution, a pair of lugs 2| projecting from the tens counting dials I9', each ten counting dial being provided with ten pairs of lugs 2|. To prevent backward motion of the tens dials I9', the axle of each tens dial is provided with a ratchet wheel, Fig. 5, adapted to be engaged by a spring detent l| I9' mounted on the frame of the apparatus.

To announce the end of a playing period, the score board is provided with a gun mechanism |44 mounted in a casing |4|, Fig. 2, secured to the top of the main frame of the apparatus. The gun mechanism is described in detail in application Serial No. 739,822, filed August 14th, 1934, and now Patent No. 2,199,534, of which this ap'- plication is a division. As shown in Fig. 1S, the operation of the gun mechanism is obtained by energizing a solenoid |65, this being eiected auto- 1 matically at the end of a playing period and being controlled by the actuation of the switches operated by the circuit-closing fingers 5S and 51 on the timing shafts 52 and 21 respectively.

The score board is operated under the direction of an oiiicial from a remote control board shown in Fig. 17, a cable of wires connecting the control board with the score board. The board is provided with a plurality of buttons operating a plurality of switches placed in the various electrical circuits controlling the operation of the score board. To control the passage of current for the motors and the switches mounted on the score board, the control board is also provided with a master key switch |15, a pilot light |11 indicating when the current is turned on.

Referring to Fig. 18, when the buttons |18 are depressed, the circuits controlling the operation of the mechanism rotating the drums |8 are closed. Assuming that it is desired to make the legends of the top drums I8 read First eXtra period," the button |18 under the legend No. in Fig. 17, is depressed to cause current to flow through the electromagnet |9|, Fig. lll. rllhe magnet thus energized will pull the end of the lever 97, and in so doing, will remove the guard end of the lever away from the ratchet wheel 9|, thereby permitting the dog 95 on the reciprocating shaft 94 to drop into one of the notches of the ratchet wheel SI and turn the drum I8. The drum is permitted to turn until the reading First appears through the opening I7. The button |78 then is released to discontinue the flow of current through the magnet I8 I, whereby the lever 97 will return to its normal position under the effort of the spring S8, where it will prevent the dog 95 from dropping into the notches of the ratchet wheel 9|. The drum I8 then stops revolving. The button |78, on the right, under the legend Q-H-P, controls the flow of ourrent through the magnet II for operating the drum I8 bearing the legends to indicate the periods. This button is released to discontinue the flow of current through the magnet I8! when the reading Extra period is displayed through the opening I7.

The same procedure is followed in making the desired changes for the names of the players dis played through the openings 2 of Fig. 1, and the personal fouls called on the players, and displayed through the openings 4, the buttons |78 on the board |75, Fig. 17, under the legends Players and Fouls controlling the flow of current through the appropriate magnets II. If, for example, the center of the visiting team commits a foul, the third button clown the Foul column opposite the button labeled C in the Players column of the visitors side, is depressed. Referring to Fig. 18, this permits current from the battery |84 to 'ow through the magnet IBI and causes the particular foul drum to turn. The turning of the foul drum may be stopped by releasing the pressure on the button as soon as the proper number is displayed through the opening 4. Again referring to Fig. 18, if a substitution is made for the right forward of the U, S. A. C. or home team, the button |78 labeled RF on the U. S. A. C. side of the control board is depressed to cause the current to flow from the battery |84 through the proper magnet I8I to turn the Right forward drum I8 on the U. S. A. C. side of the score board. When the proper name is displayed through the opening 2 of Fig. l, the button is released to discontinue the flow of current through the magnet IIII and consequently, rotation of the Right forward drum ceases.

As already explained, the total scores oi the teams are indicated through the openings 7 by means of the dials I8 and I9'. The operation of these dials is controlled by buttons |79 on the control board; the plus buttons adding to the score and the minus buttons subtracting from the score in the event that a correction should be necessary. If, for example, the visitors score a basket, the plus button |79 on the visitors side of the control board is pressed for an instant. Referring to Fig. 18, this sends an impulse of current from the battery |84 through the magnet II2, Figs. and 16. While the current impulse lasts, the magnet II2 rocks the rocking arm ||3 and during this movement the lug ||7 on the rocking arm I3 passes under the point of the latch IIE to hold the rocking arm H3 against the magnet H2. With the rocking arm I|3 in this position, the dog H9 on the lever |85 will engage a notch in the periphery oi the ratchet wheel |93 to rotate the latter and the associated shaft |87 in one direction. As soon as the ratchet wheel |88 moves, as already explained,

the roller |09 on ythe detent |89 is pushed out of a notch of the ratchet wheel I 98 and in so doing the latch II5 is moved by the link IIS. The motion of the latch ||5 permits the rocking arm I I3 to rock back into its' initial and normal position under the action of the spring II4, and the dog II9 is thereby prevented from engaging another notch in the periphery of the ratchet wheel |88. Since the ratchet wheel |83 is rigidly mounted on the shaft |87 of the dial I9, the movement of one notch will turn the disk I9 to advance the reading of the score by one number. The two points made by the making of a basket can be displayed by two depressions of the buttons |79, a few seconds apart. If by any chance, the particular basket should be disallowed after it has already been added to the team score, the minus button |79 is depressed to cause current to flow through the opposite magnet II2. By means of the same mechanical action just described for adding to the score, the ratchet wheel |08 will be turned one notch in the opposite direction, and thereby correct the reading of the score.

The same procedure is followed in displaying the individual scores of the players through the openings 6. In this case, the plus and minus buttons |88 under the legend Individual of Fig. 17, are depressed to energize the appropriate magnets controlling the operation of the individual score dials. If, for example, the center makes a basket, the plus button on the C row of the respective team side 0f Fig. 17, is depressed to cause current from the battery |84 to iiow through the magnet I I2, and thereby cause the addition of the appropriate score to the indicator for the particular center. Again, the minus button |89 beside the players plus button, when depressed, will cause a reduction of his score.

To operate the Off goal-seconds left indicator, the control board shown in Fig. 17 is provided with double-throw switches ISI. Referring to Fig. 18, assuming that one team gets the ball in its back court and, therefore, under the present rules, has ten seconds to get the ball into the front territory, the operator presses the switch IBI to the right to close a circuit sending current from the battery |84 into the relay |85. 'Ihis relay will close contacts to send current from the power lines |86 into the solenoid 48 to put the Off goal-seconds left clock I4, Fig, 1, into gear. The switch I8I may then be released and will spring back to neutral position cutting off the flow of current to the relay |85, and to the solenoid 40, but the clock will remain in gear. With the clock I4 in gear, the linger 75, Figs. 12, 13 and 18, and the hand I6 will rotate at the rate of one revolution in ten seconds. If the team overruns the ten seconds, the finger 75 will impinge against the block 78 and will assume a position between the block 79 and the end of the dog 87. The contacts 78 and 94 will be brought together and will close the circuit to operate the electric signal. rihe finger 75, however, will continue to move and the block 79 will be pushed through an additional distance to close another circuit through the contacts and 85 to send current into the solenoid 4I. This will move the slide 39 in the opposite direction and will disengage the clutch disks 78 and 7|. The contacts .84, 85 and 88 being carried by light springs, will permit finger 75 to continue moving until a slight magnetic lag in the solenoid 4| is overcome. As soon as the clutch disks are disengaged, due to the influence of the torsion spring 13, the nger will fall back against the end of thedog 81. Although current will stop flowing to the solenoid 4|, and the clock is out of gear, the electric signal will continue. The operator may stop the signal and reset the clock by momentarily moving the switch |8| to the left to send current into the magnet S0 and the solenoid 4|, but, since the clock is out of gear, energization of the solenoid 4| is without effect. The magnet 90, however, will release the dog 81 from the nger 15, which will rotate back to the initial and starting position through the effort of the torsion spring 13. If the team does not overrun its allotted time, the operator may stop and reset the clock at any time by briefly pushing the switch ISI to the left, and since the clock is now in gear, the solenoid 4| will put it out of gear, allowing the nger 15 and the hand I6 to return to the initial and starting position through the effort of the torsion spring 13.

To operate the Minutes to play indicator, the control board shown in Fig. 1'7 is provided with a double-throw switch I8! bearing the legend Time Referring to Fig. 18, and assuming that the clock is stopped and the teams are ready to start a playing period, the switch |8| is pushed to the right to permit current from the battery |84 to flow through the relay |85, which, in turn, causes current from the power line |36 to flow through the solenoid 40 to pull the core of the slide 39 inwardly. As already explained, the movement of the slide 39 rocks the lever 38 to slide the clutch disk 35 into engagement with the clutch disk 33 so that the shaft 25 will turn the shaft 21, Fig. 3. This will cause rotation of the"Seconds indicating hand The gearing from the shaftA 21 will cause the hand I2 to turn to indicate the minutes of play remaining When the pressure is taken off switch ISI, it will assume a neutral position l between its two contact positions, so that no current will flow from the battery |84 through either of the relays |85 or 290. The flow of current through the solenoid 46V will cease but the clutch disks 33 and 35 will remain in engagement because power is requiredV to disengage the 'clutch disks. Thus, the clock will continue to operate until the time-keeper stops it by giving the switch |8| a push to the left. When the switch is moved to the left, current from kthe battery |84 flows through the relay 200 causing current from the supply line |85 to flow through the solenoid 4|. The slide 39 is then pulled to the left or toward the solenoid 45| with the re sult that the clock is stopped. When the pressure holding the switch |8| to the left is relieved it will assume a neutral position again and the now of current in the curcuit will cease.' :he clock can be thrown in and out of gear any number of times during the playing period, and the time-indicators will continue on toward the close of the playing period from each stopping point To stop the time-indicators 9 and I9 automatically at the end of a playing period and to lire the gun automatically at the end of a playing period, the shafts 52 and 21 of the time mechanism, as already explained, are provided with fingers 56 and 51 respectively. These fingers are adapted to actuate a pair of switches secured to the front wall of the apparatus. At the start, the switch H9 is open, and the linger 55, 9, is on the upper side of the lever i2! and in position to move away rfrom the projection as the clock begins to run, Within twenty minutes, the

finger 56 will return to the underside of the lever |2| moving in an upward direction, so that it can swing the switch about its pivot |20 and cause the contacts and |28, and |25 and |29 respectively, to close within the last minute of the playing period. Finger 51, Fig. 10, which makescontact with the grounded side of the supply line |86, passes from the left to the right over the top of the bar once every minute. At the point where the nger 51 touches the contacts |34 and |35, it pushes the bar |30 downwardly until the contacts |36 and |39 are touching. The contact between the finger 51 and the contacts points |34 and |35 has no eliect unless the switch H9 is closed. Assuming that the clock is running near the end of a playing period, the nger 51 passes over the bar |30 and starts to measure the Ylast minute, while the 1inger 56 impinges against ythe underside of the lever |2I. Up to this point, all the contacts ol both switches are in an open position. The nger 51 then rocks the switch plate H9 to close the contacts |25 and |28, and |26 and |29 respectively, to prepare the circuits for current ow at the close of the last second of the playing period. Referring to Fig. 18, at the end of the last second, the nger 51 returns and bridges the contacts |34 and |35 of the switch |39; current from the supply line |86 will flow from the contact |34 to the'points |29 and |26 which are touching, and then through the solenoid |65 which will pull the plunger |61 and nre the gun. Current also will flow from the contact to the points |28 and |25 and through the solenoid 4| which will stop the clock, Current will continue to flow in the solenoids 4! and |65 as long as switch |19 remains closed, as switch |8| has no effect on the operation of the clock when the switch ||9 is closed. It can send current into theV solenoid but the latter cannot pull the slide 39 because current is still flowing in the solenoidfii. This in a sense, locks the clock in the position at which it was at the end of the playing period until it is desired to start timing the next playing period.

Assuming that'it is desired to put things in order for timing the next playing period, the

. operator depresses the button |82, Fig. 17, to

cause current from the battery |34 to ow through-the magnet |24, thereby pulling the switch H9 open so that the contacts |26 and |29, and |25 and |28 will nolonger touch. This interrupts the iow of current through the solenoid |55 and allows the plunger 61 of the gun to go `back to its original position where it willv be ready to fire the next shot at the end of the next playing period. Current also stops flowing through the solenoid 4| thereby making it again possible for the switch |8| to start and stop theclock. Y

If the next playing period should be an extra live minutes period, as after a tie game, it will become necessary to set the time-indicator to read 5 minutes to play before the period is started. The clock has been stopped in such a position that the iinger 5? is holding the contacts |36 and |39 together, Fig. 8. To set the clock, the operator pushes the switch 13| to the left, then de presses the button |83 to cause current from the battery |84 to flow through the contacts |36 and |39 to the magnet 55, causing the dog 53 to engage the ratchet Wheel 58 to move it one notch backwards for each stroke of the reciprocating bar 59. Five strokes of the reciprocating bar 59 will shift the Minutes to play indicator to a position where it will indicate ve minutes remaining to play. The oicial then releases the pressure on the button |83 to interrupt the ilow of current through the magnet 65 to allow the dog S3 to assume its normal position under the influence of the spring 65. By this method, the time-indicator can be set for any playing interval desired within the range of twenty minutes.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 739,822, led August 14, 1934, now Patent No. 2,190,543.

We claim:

1. Mechanism for intermittently rotating a member through a predetermined angular distance, comprising an axle, a rotatable member adapted to carry indicia mounted on the axle for rotation therewith, means to rotate said axle and member including a continuously rotating shaft, a reciprocable bar, means for translating rotary motion of the shaft into reciprocatory motion of the bar to continuously reciprocate the bar, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle and means operably connected to the bar and continuously moved thereby to rotate the ratchet wheel so that the reciprocatory motion of the bar will be translated into rotary motion of the axle and said rotatable member, said connecting means comprising a dog pivotally mounted on the reciprocating bar, a spring urging the dog to engage the notches of the ratchet wheel, means to selectively control the engagement of the dog with the notches of the ratchet wheel, said control means including a member movable to either of two positions, in one of which it is interposed between the dog and the ratchet wheel and engaged by the dog to prevent the dog from engaging with the ratchet wheel, and in the other of which it is not engaged by the dog and permits maximum engagement of the dog with the ratchet wheel, means for so actuating said interposable member that it moves only from one eX- treme position to the other, so that each actuation of the ratchet wheel by the dog will cause the rotatable member associated with the ratchet wheel to be moved through the same angular distance, and means normally to hold the interposable member between the dog and the ratchet wheel.

2. Mechanism for intermittently rotating a member through a predetermined angular distance, comprising an axle, a rotatable member adapted to carry indicia mounted on the axle for rotation therewith, means to rotate said axle and member including a continuously rotating shaft, a reciprocable bar, means for translating rotary motion of the shaft into reciprocatory motion of the bar to continuously reciprocate the bar, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle and means operably connected to the bar and continuously moved thereby to rotate the ratchet Wheel so that the reciprocatory motion of the bar will be translated into rotary motion of the axle and said rotatable member, said connecting means comprising a dog pivotally mounted on the reciprocating bar, a spring urging the dog to engage the notches of the ratchet wheel, means to selectively control the engagement of the dog with the notches of the ratchet wheel, said control means including a member movable to either of two positions, in one of which it is interposed between the dog and the ratchet wheel and engaged by the dog to prevent the dog from engaging with the ratchet wheel, and in the other of which it is not engaged by the dog and permits maximum engagement of the dog with the ratchet wheel,

means for so actuating said interposable member that it moves only from one extreme position to the other, so that each actuation of the ratchet wheel by the dog will cause the rotatable member associated with the ratchet wheel to be moved through the same angular distance, a spring adapted normally to hold the interposed member between the dog and the ratchet wheel, and a detent resiliently urged into engagement with the notches of the ratchet wheel to retain the rotatable member in a set position when the ratchet wheel is not engaged by the dog,

3. Mechanism for intermittently rotating a member through a predetermined angular distance, comprising an axle, a rotatable member adapted to carry indicia mounted on the axle for rotation therewith, means to rotate said axle and member including a continuously rotating shaft, a reciprocable bar, means for translating rotary motion of the shaft into reciprocatory motion of the bar to continuously reciprocate the bar, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle and means operably connected to the bar and continuously moved thereby to rotate the ratchet wheel so that the reciprocatory motion of the bar will be translated into rotary motion of the axle and said rotatable member, said connecting means comprising a dog pivotally mounted on the reciprocating bar, a spring urging the dog to engage the notches of the ratchet wheel, means to selectively control the engagement of the dog with the notches of the ratchet Wheel, said control means including a member movable to either of two positions, in one of which it is interposed between the dog and the ratchet wheel and engaged by the dog to prevent the dog from engaging with the ratchet wheel, and in the other of which it is not engaged by the dog and permits maximum engagement of the dog with the ratchet wheel, means for so actuating said interposable member that it moves only from one extreme position to the other, so that each actuation of the ratchet wheel by the dog will cause the rotatable member associated with the ratchet wheel to be moved through the same angular distance, a spring adapted normally to hold the interposed member between the dog and the ratchet wheel, said actuating means being normally inoperative and adapted when operative to move the interposed member out of engagement with the dog against the effort of the spring to release the dog into engagement with the notches of the ratchet wheel.

4. Mechanism for intermittently rotating a member through a predetermined angular distance, comprising an axle, a rotatable member adapted to carry indicia mounted on the axle for rotation therewith, means to rotate said axle and member including a continuously rotating shaft, a reciprocable bar, means for translating rotary motion of the shaft into reciprocatory motion of the bar to continuously reciprocate the bar, a ratchet wheel mounted on the axle and means operably connected to the bar and continuously moved thereby to rotate the ratchet wheel so that the reciprocatory motion of the bar will be translated into rotary motion of the-axle and said rotatable member, said connecting means comprising a dog pivotally mounted on the reciprocating bar, a spring urging the dog to engage the notches of the ratchet wheel, means to selectively control the engagement of the dog with the notches of the ratchet wheel, said control means including a member movable to either of two positions, in one of which it is interposed between the dog and the ratchet Wheel and engaged by the dog to prevent the dog from engaging With the ratchet Wheel, and in the other of which it is not engaged by the dog and permits a maximum engagement of the dog With the ratchet means, electromagnetic means for so actuating said interposable member that it moves only from one extreme position to the other, so that each actuation of the ratchet Wheel by the dog Will cause the rotatable member associated with the ratchet Wheel to be 10 moved through the same angular distance, a

spring adapted normally to hold the interposed member between the dog and the ratchet Wheel and said electromagnetic means being normally deenergized and adapted when energized to pull the interposed member out of engagement with the dog against the effort of the spring to release the dog into engagement with the notches of the ratchet Wheel.

HORACE LEON IVIE. 

